HISTORY

The John A. Merritt Classic, first played in 1999, honors the history of John Ayers Merritt, the legendary TSU football coach who led the Tigers from 1963 – 1983.

During twenty-one seasons, “Big John” won four undisputed national championships among historically black colleges ranked by the Sheridan Poll, compiled a lifetime record of 172-33-1, and built a powerful program that produced NFL stars like Richard Dent (Chicago Bears), “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam (Pittsburgh Steelers), Ed “Too Tall” Jones (Dallas Cowboys), Claude Humphrey (Philadelphia Eagles) and many others.

The John A. Merritt Classic, one of only two football Classics solely hosted by a single NCAA FCS institution, is intended to allow Tennessee State to raise funds for scholarships and other related needs for TSU students. The Classic also has a history of providing opportunities for community outreach with its weekend of activities.

John Ayers Merritt

John Ayers Merritt

1926-1983

John A. Merritt, one of Tennessee’s most successful football coaches, was born on January 26, 1926, in Falmouth, Kentucky, the son of a stonemason, Bradley Merritt and his wife, Grace. After completing grade school, he moved to Louisville to live with an aunt in order to be eligible to attend Central High School, where he played football. Merritt joined the U.S. Navy after graduation. When he returned from military service, Merritt earned a football scholarship to Kentucky State College. In 1947 he married Maxine Owens, and they had a daughter, Bonita (Bonnie) Merritt Traughber. After receiving his college degree, Merritt entered graduate school in 1950. He coached football at Versailles High School and Jackson State University before coming to Tennessee State University.

Some twenty-three Merritt-coached players distinguished themselves in the NFL, including six who played in the Super Bowl. In addition, twenty-nine assistants, three head coaches, and five athletic directors played for Coach Merritt.

John Merritt compiled thirty straight winning seasons. Along with an excellent staff of assistant coaches which included Joe Gilliam Sr. and Alvin Coleman, who had accompanied Merritt to TSU from Jackson State in 1963, he implemented a wide open pro-type T offense with multiple sets. In 1967 his team achieved a national defensive record for allowing opponents a measly average of 2.15 yards per carry. He was Coach of the Year in 1973. Merritt’s team received the Associated Press and the United Press International small college championships in 1975. By 1979 he had a record of 130-25-5. Merritt modestly downplayed his role in the team’s success and attributed the team’s winning record to “the Good Lord.”

The more games Merritt won and the more players he sent to the National Football League, the more attention Tennessee and Tennessee State University gained nationally. In 1980 President Jimmy Carter called to congratulate Merritt for his 200th victory.

  • GAME HISTORY
    YEAR HOME VISITOR ATTENDANCE
    1999 TENNESSEE STATE 41 ALABAMA STATE 8 31,119
    2000 TENNESSEE STATE 30 ALABAMA STATE 13 20,463
    2001 TENNESSEE STATE 27 ALABAMA A&M 6 22,000
    2002 TENNESSEE STATE 41 PRAIRIE VIEW 8 18,652
    2003 TENNESSEE STATE 37 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 20 18,124
    2004 TENNESSEE STATE 42 ALABAMA A&M 7 25,117
    2005 TENNESSEE STATE 14 ALABAMA A&M 27 25,342
    2006 TENNESSEE STATE 20 ALABAMA A&M 27 19,487
    2007 TENNESSEE STATE 23 ALABAMA A&M 49 23,440
    2008 TENNESSEE STATE 34 SOUTHERN 32 28,830
    2009 TENNESSEE STATE 7 ALABAMA A&M 24 23,871
    2010 TENNESSEE STATE 27 ALABAMA A&M 14 22,607
    2011 TENNESSEE STATE 33 SOUTHERN 7 25,209
    2012 TENNESSEE STATE 17 FLORIDA A&M 14 15,652
    2013 TENNESSEE STATE 9 BETHUNE-COOKMAN 12 16,108
    2014 TENNESSEE STATE 56 EDWARD WATERS 6 10,541
    2015 TENNESSEE STATE 24 ALABAMA STATE 14 22,500
    2016 TENNESSEE STATE 44 UAPB 0 15,078
    2017 TENNESSEE STATE 16 EASTERN ILLINOIS 19 11,013
    2018 TENNESSEE STATE 34 Bethune Cookman 3 14,069
    2019 TENNESSEE STATE 26 Mississippi valley state 20 13,458
    CANCELLED
    2021 TENNESSEE STATE 41 kentucky state 7 2,513
    2022 TENNESSEE STATE 27 lane 28 10,500
  • GAME RECORDS
     
    Tennessee State (16-7)
    Alabama State (0-3)
    Alabama A&M (4-3)
    Bethune-Cookman (1-1)
    Eastern Illinois (1-0)
    Edward Waters (0-1)
    Florida A&M (0-1)
    Gardner-Webb (0-1)
    Kentucky State (0-1)
    Lane College (1-0)
    Mississippi Valley State (0-1)
    Prairie View (0-1)
    South Carolina State (0-1)
    Southern (0-2)
    UAPB (0-1)
  • John A. Merritt Classic HONOREES

    Year

    HONOREE
    1999 Merritt Family
    2000 Merritt Assistant Coaches: Joe Gilliam, Sr. & Alvin Coleman, Sr.
    2001 Carrie Gentry & former Majorettes
    2002 Sam Whitmon
    2003 TSU Original Boosters
    2004 1966 Undefeated Team
    2005 1970 Undefeated Team
    2006 50th Anniversary Championship Basketball & Women’s Track
    2007 1973 Undefeated Team “HBCU Football Champions”
    2008 1998 & 1999 OVC Champions
    2009 1982 Undefeated Team“HBCU Football Champions”
    2010 1965 Undefeated Team “HBCU Football Champions”
    2011 Dr. Fred Humphries, Ivanetta Davis, & Homer Wheaton
    2012 Dr. James Hefner
    2013 Richard Dent
    2014 Edward L. prof’ graves
    2015 Ed “Too Tall” Jones
    2016 Undefeated 1956 national championship football team
    2017 No Honoree
    2018 John Merritt Classic Committee
    2019 No Honoree
    2020 No Honoree
    2021 No Honoree
    2022 No Honoree